Photo Friday: Walk About in Freedom

Stand for Israel | June 29, 2023

Members of the American Colony on the beach in Jaffa, 1900 — (Photo: Library of Congress)

“May your unfailing love come to me, LORD,
    your salvation, according to your promise;
then I can answer anyone who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.
I will always obey your law,
    for ever and ever.
I will walk about in freedom…” (Psalm 119:41-45)

In this photo, taken around 1900 on a beach in Jaffa, members of the American Colony—a Christian community developed in the Holy Land before the turn of the century by famed hymnist Horatio Spafford—celebrate the freedoms their American homeland had enjoyed for more than 100 years at the time. And this coming week, Israelis will surely join their American friends in rejoicing in the continued freedoms we celebrate on the Fourth of July. Shabbat shalom, friends.